MOBILE, Alabama -- Carnival Triumph passengers should be aware about their
health in the coming days, NBC's chief medical editor said Thursday.

Dr. Nancy Snyderman, who frequently appears on NBC's "Today
Show" to discuss medical issues, said passengers could face illness within the
next week.

"Over three to five, sometimes six days later, if there is a
lot of E. coli and a lot of human waste and sewage, people can come down with
illness even after they get home and that can mean that they take a shower,
climb into bed and all of a sudden, 'Kaboom!'"

If that happens, Snyderman said people ought to immediately
see a doctor.

"The anti-diarrheal and the antibiotics are sometimes not
the right treatment," she said.

Snyderman said short-term concerns aboard the ship include a
lack of refrigerated foods and food poisoning.

She said the Carnival Triumph can safely be used again despite
the horrid conditions described on the ship that included, among other things,
vomit and sewage on the floors and walls.

"This ship can be used again," Snyderman said. "They'll fix
it, swab it down and Clorox it and do everything they can. I think six months
from now, (some of the passengers) will be back on cruises again."